The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the Samoa Agreement until all controversial clauses are addressed and clarified.
This decision came after a motion of urgent national importance was sponsored by 88 members of the House.
According to Channels, in moving the motion on Tuesday, a member of the House, Aliyu Madaki, drew attention to the clause which highlights “gender equality” and described it as a Trojan horse that could violate the morals of the country.
The House has also mandated its relevant committees to investigate the controversial provisions of the agreement.
The Samoa Agreement, signed by the Federal Government with the European Union, has been mired in controversy, with many Nigerians opposing what they perceive as the recognition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender rights by the government.
The deal has sparked a barrage of reactions online, with many voicing their opposition to LGBT rights, which are contrary to the anti-same-sex marriage and gay relationships law enacted in 2014 by then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
At a press conference on Saturday, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, alongside his counterpart in the Ministry of Information, Mohammed Idris, stated that Nigeria would not enter into an agreement that was antithetical to the constitution as well as the religious and cultural sensibilities of the diverse people of Nigeria.
Bagudu explained that Nigeria signed the agreement to boost food security and inclusive economic development, among other critical areas.
Last November, the European Union, its 27 member states, and 79 member states of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States signed the agreement in Apia, the capital of the Pacific island country of Samoa. Hence, it is referred to as the ‘Samoa Agreement’.
With the new agreement, which succeeded the Cotonou Agreement, the parties are expected to be better equipped to address emerging needs and global challenges, such as climate change, ocean governance, migration, health, peace, and security.
Nigeria signed the agreement on June 28, 2024, but it only became public knowledge this week following a disclosure by Bagudu.
